Apparatus for feeding lengths of flat stock in uninterrupted sequence



G. SCHER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF FLAT STOCK Jan. 15, 1952 IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE Filed June 7, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Geo/"ye .Sc/rer" Jan. 15, 1952 G. SCHER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS 0F FLAT STOCK IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June '7, 1947 T Y", I l

lll Iv INVENTOR- Geory e Jake/'- [Qua 44 A TTORNEYJ' 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 r M R m u Z,

Jan. 15, 1952 sg APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF FLAT STOCK IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE Filed June '7, I947 Jan. 15, 1952 SCHER 2,582,656

G. APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF FLAT STOCK Filed June 7, 1947 IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE I 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 7/0 INVENTOR.

6 Gorge Jcber BY I fimfm 7m Jan. 15, 1952 G. SCHER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF FLAT STOCK IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 7, 1947 R INVEN TOR.

George Joker /3mim @m A T TOR/VEYS Jan. 15, 1952 G. SCHER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF FLAT STOCK 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE Filed June 7, 1947 INVENTOR. George Jc/rer' A TTO'RNE Y3 G. SCHER APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS OF FLAT STOCK Jan. 15, 1952 v IN UNINTERRUPTED SEQUENCE Filed June 7, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. Geo/ye J'cfier ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 15, 1952 2,582,656 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING LENGTHS F FLAT STOCK SEQUENCE UNINTERRUPTED George Scher, West Orange, N. J.

Application June 7, 1947, Serial No. 753,179 16 Claims. (01. 271-69) This invention relates to an apparatus for the continuous feeding of strip stock and more particularly to an apparatus for continuously advancing strip stock step-by-step for a predetermined distance in each step.

The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent and best understood from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating the general layout of a strip stock feeding apparatus embodying the invention in conjunction with a punch press;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a reciprocating feed mechanism for intermittently advancing strip stock a predetermined distance for each reciprocation;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 having certain parts omitted for clarity;

Fig. 5 is a section view taken approximately along the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section view taken approximately along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the apparatus shown inFig.3;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a slip-feed for contin- Fig. 9 is an end view in partial section of a portion of the slip-feed shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an end view in partial section of the slip-feed shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a side view of the slip-feed shown. in Fig. 8; I

Fig. 12 is a side view of a compensating holddown mechanism for the strip stock;

Fig. 13 is a sectionvview taken approximately along the line l3l 3 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a plan view showing the compensating hold-down in conjunction with the reciprocating feed; A

Fig. 15 is a side view of an operating mechanism for the reciprocating feed; and

Fig. 16 is an end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the general arrangement of a strip feed embodying the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in conjunction with a punch press 23 as il1us-' trating the type of machine to which the feed maybe applied. Strip stock 20, in either coiled 0} flat form, is fed by a continuously driven slipfeed, indicated generally at 2|, to a reciprocating feed mechanism, indicated generally at 22, that intermittently grips the stock and advances it a predetermined distance.

The reciprocating feed mechanism 22 advancesthe stock 20 into position for operation thereon by the dies of the punch press 23 or 'simi lar machine. During its return stroke, the ireciprocating feed mechanism 22 releases the stock which is then held in its advanced position'by a positively operated, compensating hold-down indicated generally at 24. The compensating holddown 24 permits the stock 20 to be aligned properly with the dies of the punch press 23 and corrects for camber in the stock such as may occur in cutting the stock from sheets.

Lengths or the stock 20 are continuously fed stock is fed forward. This permits the uninterusual rupted feeding of flat strip stock in the lengths of about six feet.

The reciprocating feedmechanism 22 grips the stock at two points spaced from each other. Thus,

as a new length of stock is fed to the point where it is engaged by the reciprocating feed, both the; newstock and the preceding length of stock will be positively gripped and advanced thereby. The gripping mechanism of the reciprocating feedis constructed to compensate for variationsjthe gauge of an individual length of stock or in adjoining lengths of stock.

The details and operation of the various mechanisms referred to briefly above are described in detail hereinafter in their approximate sequence of operations.

The continuously driven slip-feed pinch rolls 25 and 26 between which the stock 20 is gripped and fed forward. The lower roll 25 of the pair may be driven from any suitable source of power through a slip drive indicated generallyat 2T.

In the type of slip drive 21 illustrated, there is a friction clutch which has a driving member 28.

The driving member 28 has a pulley 29 formed as a part thereof which is driven through a V-belt 30, as shown in Fig. 1. The V-belt 30 may be driven in any suitable manner as described here:

OFFICE f7 inafter. The driving member has a clutch disc 3| secured thereto by drive pins 3| and the driving faces of the clutch disc 3| are lined with friction material 32 of the usual type.

A driven member 33 of the clutch is keyed to a 5 shaft 34 on which the driving member 28 is rotatably supportedon a sleeve 35. One end of the shaft 34 =i's supported in a bearing'36 and j'the other end of the shaft 34 whicli'is hollowg'issupported on and keyed to a shaft 31 extending from the lower roll 25. The driven clutch member 33 is slidable on the shaft 34 and carries a fl ange'38 that engages with one face of-the' driving-disc- 3|. The other face of the driving disc 3| is engaged by a flanged member 39 slidably carried on the driven clutch member 33. "Ili'eflaffg'ed" member 39 is held in frictional ieng agemehtwith the friction facing on the disc 3| by a series of springs 40 so that the driving disc 3| iscl ahiped between the two flanges ehgaging therewith. The spnng4oare held against the *fla'n'g'ed member 39hy'an adjustable collar-M; Theposition of theeciiar it-and the'r'esultingcompression of the springs which force the flanges 38 and 39 into eiigagement'with-the drivingdisc 3| may be-con- 25 trolle'iiby a; knurled adjustment nut 42 seas to regulate theslippage-of the clutch asdesired.

The shaftfl"extends from'the oppositeside of the lower roll ZS-througha-one way-drive'43 into a gearboxie In the type of one-way drive illus- 30. trated' in" Fig: 9; there is a framewith acircula'r opening therein in which a triangularly shaped--member 43 -ro'tates.- The triangularly' shaped member flfiis keyed to and rotates with theshaft-31 The slopingsides ofthetriangu- 3.5

larly shaped membe'r iB-are provided withspring fingers fl-and, ollers 48.- The triangularly shaped member 42 thus may rotate in onedirec tion in-theframe 45 i. e.,'to-feed the stock forward but, upon movement in the reverse direc- 40..

tion, .the rollers 48 and-the spring fingers 41 are wedged between the sloping sides of triangularly shaped member 46 and-sides of the circular opening in the frame 45,. This prevents the shaft 31 from turning in any direction other than to ad- Vance the stock 20 and holds the stock at whatever advanced position it may have reached.

piniongear lgsecured to the shaft (meshes with a 1gea f 50- formed on an element 5| of a coupling, commonly known as an Oldhain type 501 sides 10 of a reciprocable frame H.

coupling; "which permits agar displacement of thf'partsfcdhhected by it'." The other element52 The'shaftsYil anass' m the rolls '25 amaze;

respectively, are journalled 'ih' barihgs 54 that are supeerteeme f ames-5. The beaiihg's' 54 for the-upper :i'bllZS' areplidably' Il'lbilfifd the frame 55 aild'ai h'elddh place by'suppbrtihg rods 56 which are connected by a cross-hart? A stud 58 extends from the topof theframe 55 through the cross-bar 57. A camming member 59-15 secured to the "stud' 5a abbve'thecihss-bar 5-1 "wan-adjustable nut st. The'bamm'ing' mam:

ber 59"lia's' a pivotedmountinga'nd ispraviu'ed with a-"handle filso that its camm'ing'surfac'es maybe'brought-to-bear'on the cross=bar 51 to" bringthe roll 25"'into" or release the roll from engagement with the stock 23. When the roll 26" isreleased; it'inay move upwardly'so that stock th'feed, th'ecam 59 is positioned; as shown-in the 75.,

4 drawings, to hold the rolls in engagement with the stock 25 so. as to feed the stock forward.

Lengths of stock 23 may be introduced between rolls 25 and 26 by sliding the stock along a table or platform 62, the top of which is aligned with the rolls. As a length of stock enters the rolls after the preceding length of stock has left the rolls, the new length of stockwill be fed f diwa'rd" rapidly iintil flaunts" the end of the previous length of stock. Thereafter, the slipfd automatically maintains the stock in abuttingrela'tion with the end of the preceding length I of stfick as it'isintermittently advanced. When the stock is' hel'd 'ag'ainst continued forward movement by otherparts of the feed, the friction drive slipwhileholding the stock in such advanced position asit has reached, and the one-way drive prevents the stock from moving back if there is any tendency for it to do so.

The reciprocating feed mechanism- The reciprocating feed mechanism 22 is shown in Figs. 3, l -5, 6' and 7. The stock gripp'inglmechanism is reciprocated in appropriately timed relation to the operation of the punch'pre'ss 23' or like machinebetween an advanced pos'iticn as shown in the drawings; and a retracted position asindica'ted at B by the dotted lines in=lig;v 3; This mechanism advances the .stocka predeter mined. distance-for. each reciprocation;

Theslipefeed- 2i feeds the stock 20 to the reciprocating feed between upperg'uide rails 63" and lower guide rails E54 that are aligned-with the slip-feed to receive the stocktherefrom. The lower guide rails 66 are supported on a bed plate or support ii5'to whic-h the upper rails 63-are secured by" cross-bars 63.1 Springs 6"! the: cross-bars 66' bear" against the upp'erguide rails 63 and hold the upper guide rails against the:- stock which rests: on the l'ower rails 64': The springeheld upper rails .33 arethus self adjustihg: for various gaugesxof stock and the'leadihgiehd of the upper guide rails is bevelledso that stock may enter between the rails without interference.

The reciprocating feed is provided with two levers 68 andfi'B th'at'lgripthe'stock at spaced points, thus insuring the gripping and positive. advancement of'adj'oining lengthsof stock. The levers 68: and 68 are pivoted on'eccentric shafts 69 and .69 whichare journalledin upstanding..- The levers. 68 and-68' aresgenerall y similar except thatone end of the lever38 may be bifurcated and extendv on either. sidaof-the lever 68 when the levers are assembled in operative relation.

Each of the lev'erszfi'8 and 68 has: a stock-gripping jaw 12 secured thereto at its free end. Theother ends: of the levers" are connected together by a common'oper'atihg-yoke 13. The yoke 'l3= may bepiv'otally slipported onportions of the escentric shaft 69' thatare-concentric with the bearing'portions of the shaft.

The levers 68'and 68- pivot about the shafts 69- and 69' so that movement of the yoke 13-will move-the stock gripping' jaws 12 on the levers into gripping engagement with the stock 20 when the yoke 13 is raised; and release the stock when the yoke is depressed. The levers 68 and 68' are connected to-the yoke 73 by a central pin 14 on which the levers may turn and by side pins 15 that ektendthrough appropriately shaped open ingsi'n the levers to permit radial movement of the levers.

Th'eshaft's 6'9- and 69 each have a'geared por=-- tio'n lfi thereo'nconstituting the wheel-of a worm and wheel arrangement by means of which the shafts may be turned in their supports I0 so as to raise or lower the eccentric lever-supporting portions thereof. Worms 'I'I supported in the frame II and provided with adjustment knobs I8 engage with the wheels I6. By turning the knobs I6 in appropriate directions, the shafts 69 and 69' may be turned to raise or lower their eccentric portions relative to the bottom of the reciprocable frame I I, and thus raise or lower, as required, the stock-gripping jaws I2 to accommodate various gauges of stock.

The stock-gripping jaws I2 are opposed to a hardened steel plate I9 carried by the reciprocable frame II and the stock is gripped between the jaws 12 and the plate I9 as it is advanced. As shown in Fig. 6, the reciprocable frame II is slidably mounted in a groove in the support or bed plate 65. The groove has sloping sides and the frame 'II has a sliding fit therein provided by means of a gib 80. An adjustable stop 65 carried by the bed plate 65 stops the rearward movement of the frame II at its retracted position.

The frame H and the stock-gripping members associated therewith are reciprocated in appropriately timed relation to the operation of the punch press 23 by a bell crank lever M. The bell crank lever 8| is mounted on a pilvot 82 supported from a supporting bracket 83 and has a sliding connection 84 with the rear of the frame II that permits linear movement of the frame.

The bell crank lever 8I is rocked about its pivot by a connecting rod 85 that may be operated in any suitable manner. The connecting rod 85 has a sliding connection 86 with an arm 8| of the bell crank lever 8| that permits rocking or radial movement of the bell crank lever. The arm M of the bell crank lever 8| is bifurcated and extends on either side of a connecting rod 81 for operating the yoke I3.

The yoke-operating connecting rod 81 is con- .nected to one end of a rock shaft 89 by a lever 88. The rock shaft 89 is journalled in the frame 83 and carries an arm 90 with a grooved guide member 9I at its end for operating the yoke I3. A roller 92 carried by the lever-operating yoke 13 fits into the grooved guide member 9| and permits the yoke to be reciprocated relative to the arm 90 while maintaining an operative connection therewith for raising or lowering of the yoke. When the shaft 89 is rocked to raise the arm 90 and the lever-operating yoke 13, it brings the stock-gripping jaws 72 into engagement with the stock. When the arm and yoke are depressed in a similar manner, the stock-gripping jaws are released from engagement with the stock; 'The operation of the stock-gripping levers 6'8 and 68 in this manner is entirely independent of the operation of the means for reciprocating. the feed although they necessarily operate in timed rela-v tion to each other.

Theinherent resiliency of therock shaft 39 permits the rock shaft to twist under. torsional stresses such as may occur if an individual length of stock 20 varies in gauge or thicknesswithin the usual limits or if a new length of stock varies in gauge or thickness from the preceding length of stock. This arrangement provides a stockgripping mechanism which is not critical and which will operate properly despite some variations in the gauge or thickness of the stock.

'The connecting rods 85 and 8'! are slidably supportedin an extension 83' of the bracket 93 and are operated in appropriatelyytimed relation.

to the operation of the feed by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment they are operated by a double-faced cam 93, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The cam 93 may be driven by the main drive shaft 94 for the punch press 23 which has the usual fly wheel 95 thereon. The drive shaft 94 also drives a pulley 96 that engages with the V-belt30, mentioned previously, for the driving slip-feed.

The cam ,93 has a cam track out in one face that is designed to, operate the reciprocating parts in timed relation to the operation of the punch press.

91' that is supported from the drive shaft 94. The cam follower 91 is connected to the connecting rod by an adjustable link 98 so as to reciprocate the connecting rod as the cam rotates.

The opposite face of the cam 93 has a cam track designed to operate the stock-gripping mechanism in timed relation to the reciprocating mechanism. A cam follower 99 engaging with. this cam track is slidably held in 2. depending yoke 99' that is also supported from the drive shaft 94. The cam follower 99 is connected to the connecting rod 81 through an extensible linkage I00, the extension of which is controlled by. an eccentric. IOI. The eccentric IOI has a handle IOI'. by means of which it may be turned. During normal operation, the linkage is not extended but, when desired, it may be extended by turning the handle I0 I approximately degrees, causing the connecting rod 81 secured thereto to. be moved downwardly. This releases the gripping jaws and permits the withdrawal or insertion of stock in the feed.

The positively operated, compensating hold-down When the stock 20 has been advanced and is released by a reciprocating feed, it is held against forward or backward movement by the positively operated, compensating hold-down 24, shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. The hold-down 24 permits the stock to be moved laterally in order to align the stock properly with the dies-of the punch press 23. This compensates-for camber in the stock such as may occur in slitting the stock from sheets or where the feed, for some reason, may not be running exactly true. A spring-held finger I02 or other suitable means may serve to move the stock laterally into alignment with the dies of the punch press.

The hold-down 24 consists of a frame I03 that is mounted on the support or bed plate 65. The frame I03 is located at the advance position of the reciprocating feed mechanism, portions of which may project into the frame at such position. At the forward end of the frame I03 there is a transversely movable member I04 having a slot I05 therein aligned to receive the stock 29 as it is fed forward. The slotted member I04 is mounted on ball bearings I06 in the frame so that it may move transversely of the frame. This movement need not be very large, but can be provided for as desired.

The transversely movable, slotted member I09 carries a stock-holding plunger I0! that extends into the slot I05 to hold the stock 20 against the 7 tric shaft I09 is supported in the frame I03 and has a pressure releasing handle IIO attached thereto. By turning the handle IIO, the pres- A cam follower 9I engaging with this cam track is slidably held in a depending yoke accepts:

sure-or theiever 'l 08 entire steclr holding plunger' I01 te releasee sothatthe-stocn may be readily removed from or -irisertcd' in-the holddew-n.

The end of'tneievergloc; enga ing with the stock -holding plunger IDT carries aroller H] which engages with the top of the plunger and permits the plunger andi'ts' sup'porting member I04 to move laterally when the plunger lll l i's fheld in engagement with the stock 20; Thelever Hi8 is operatd- 'by asecond plunger I 52 that is supported on the frame I031,

The. lever-eperatir1g plunger I I2 is" held in raised position by a spring H 3 and is" depressed against theforceof the spring by an adjustable ro'cl H4; Therod llfl inaybeadjus'ted for various gauges of stock and is connected to an arm H5 carrying a-canl iOIlOWei HE-V The cam'fol"-' lower l'lfi carried by the arm H 5 engagesiwith a cam I I! on the main'drive shafted;

1 The earn 1 I1 is designed to operate therho'ld down 24 in appropriately timed relation tothe reciprocating feed and the punchpress 23-;

Operation ofthe ,fe'ed The operation 0:" the feed has been described in detail in the foregoing and is'briefly reviewed hereinafter. The strip stock 20 is'initially engaged bythe rolls 25* and 26 ofthe'continuonsly driven'slip-feed'ih The slip f'eed 2-i advances the length of stock entering the feed into the preceding. length of stock. The slip-feed then feeds the stock to a position where the leading end of the-stock may be engaged by one of the gripping element's of'the reciprocating feed 22. The advance of the stock by the reciprocating feedisintermittent and the slip-feed serves to maintain the stock in its advanced position when it is not-being advanced, and feeds it forward immediately upon any advance of the stock by the reciprocating feed.

The reciprocating feed 22 has dual stock-gripping elements that grip the stock 2e at spaced points so that adjoining lengths of stock are both positively advanced thereby. After the stock 29 has-been gripped by the gripping elements, the reciprocating feed is moved forward a predetermineddistance carrying the stock with it. When the reciprocating feed reaches its advancedposition, the stock is released and the reciprocating. feed is returned to its initial 'posrtion to effect the next advance movement of the stock. In this mechanism the'stock gripping and reciprocable mechanisms are independently 0perated.' i I When the'stock is released by the stock-gripping element, it is held against forward or back-'- ward movement by thepositively operated, holddown '24. The'hold down 2ais laterally movable and permits the stockto be aligned properly in relation'to the dies ofthe punch press 23 orsimilar machine in order to compensate-for p'os' sible camber or the like in the stock. The holddown z 'eontiniies-to hold the stccllz w-hile'thepunch press acts on the stock during which time the reciprocating feed is retiirned to its initial position; This feed is'de'signed' to advance strip stock continuously and accurately in SteD b'y-stp fashion for a predetermined distance at each step, and is'particularly adapted to the feeding of lengths of flat stock in uninterrupted sequence.

It will be understood thatvari'ous changes and modifications in the illustrated embodiment or the feed' incorporating the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without-departing frbin th'e scope'of the invention -a'sfdefined -by the claims as appended hereto;

What-LI claim '1. In adapt 51s of thecharaeter described; the combination or areciprocable frame, a pair of intermittently operated levers pivotally mounted in-the frame, steenerippme jaws meaty said levers, said stock-gripping jawsbemg spaced apart lengthwise with respect to an 'eloi'i gate'd fiat strip of' rockb'eiiig fed thereb' and positioned th' hold said strip of stock against" a portion of the frame upon pivotal movement or the levers iii-one direction, an independently o'perable Marian-ism ror' reciprocating said frame to adva ce' the st'ot-il r held thereby a 'pr'ede termine'd distance, acontihuousl ydriven slipreedrorreeeine lengths of the strip'stock in -abii-t' tin'g rfelatioii to the stock-grippingja'ws, ande hold-down for intermittently engaging with the stock to -holdthe stock in its advanced positien when 'the'stbck is not gripped by said gripping-i JaWSr 2. In an apparathsofthe character described; the combination of a reciprocabl frahie, a -pair of intermittently operated levers p votally mounted in I the 1 frame stock grip'ping iaiv'fs ried bys'a'id' levers, sa s'to'cka'g ri'ppi-ng javfsbeing" spaced apart lengtnwisewith respect to an elsegated fiat-strip of stock being fed thereby and positioned to hold said -stiip ofstoclz' against a portion 1 of the frame upon pivotal movement of theleve'rs in one direotioii; independently operable mechanism for reciprocating-said frame to advance th'e stock'held thereby a predetermined distance, and a positively operated-hold-down for intermittentlyengaging with the stock to hold the stock in'its advancedposition whenthe'stock is notgripped hy'saidg'rippin g jaws.

3. man apparatus of'the character described; the combinationof a reciprocable'fr'ameg a pair of intermittently operated levers pivbtally mounted in the frame; stock gripping jaws carried' by the levers; saidgrip'pi'n'g jaws being spacedapart leng'th'wis'e' with respect to an elongated fiat stripof stock being fed' thereby and positionedto hold said strip' o'f stock against a portion of the frame-upon pivotal movement of theieve'rs'mone direction, an independently operable means for reciprocating the frame to advan'c'ethe "stool? a predetermined'distance, a co'ntinuoiisly driven slip=feed for feeding lengths of strip stock in abutting-relation to the stock-gripping jawsan'd a positively operated, transversely movable hold" down for intermittently engaging with the stock to hold'the'stockin itsadvanced position when the stock is not grippedby saidg-ripping'jawsi 4. In an app'aratiisof the' character described? the combination ofa reciprocable frame, a pair of intermittently operated levers pivotally moon ed in the frame, stock-gripping jaws ried by. the levers, said gripping 'j being'spacd' apart lengthwise with respectto' an elongated tione'd'to hold said strip of stock'agair i'st poi ti'on'of the" frame upon pivotal movement of 'the levrsin one direction an independently opera: ble means for reciprocating"the'frarhe to advance the stock apredetefr'nin'e'd distance,- and a post-=- a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotall-y mounted in Said rrame; stock-gripping awscar ried by said levers, said gripping jaws being spaced apart lengthwise with respect to an elongated fiat strip of stock being fed thereby and positioned to hold said strip of stock against a portion of the frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction and a positively operated hold-down intermittently engaging with the stock for holding said stock against movement when the stock is not gripped by said gripping jaws.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted in said frame, stock-gripping jaws. carried by said levers, said gripping jaws: being spaced apart lengthwise with respectto an elongated fiat strip of stock being fed thereby and positioned to hold said strip of stock against a portion of the frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction and a, transversely movable, positively operated hold-down intermittently engaging with the stock for holding the stock against forward or backward movement whenthe stock is not gripped bysaid gripping aws.

'7. In an apparatusof the character described, a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted'in said frame, stock-gripping jaws carried by said levers, said gripping jaws being spaced apart lengthwise with respect to an elongated flat strip of stock being fed thereby and positioned to hold said strip of stock against a portion of the frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction, a continuously driven slip-feed for feeding elongated lengths of stock with their adjoining ends in abutting relation to the stock-gripping jaws and a positively operated hold-down intermittently engaging with the stock for holding said stock against movement when the stock is not gripped by said gripping aws.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted in said frame, stock-gripping jaws carried by said levers, said gripping jaws being spaced apart lengthwise with respect to an elongated flat strip of stock being fed thereby and positioned to hold said strip of stock against a portion of the frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction, a continuously driven slip-feed for feeding elongated lengths of stock with their adjoining ends in abutting relation to the stock-gripping jaws and a transversely movable, positively operated hold-down intermittent- 1y engaging with the stock for holding the stock against forward or backward movement when the stock is not gripped by said grippin jaws.

9. In an apparatus for feeding strip stock, a reciprocable stock-gripping and advancing mechanism comprising a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted at spaced points on said frame, with one end of each of said levers being positioned in opposing relation to one end of the other lever, a stock gripping jaw carried at the other end of each of said levers and opposing a portion of the frame, said stock-gripping jaws being spaced apart lengthwise with respect to an elongated length of strip stock and positioned to grip the stock in cooperation with the opposing portion of the reciprocable frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction, and a common operator for said levers.

10. In an apparatus for feeding strip stock, a reciprocable stock-gripping and advancing mechanism comprising a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on said frame, stock 310 gripping jaws carried, by said levers and opposing a 'portionof the frame,.said stock gripping jaws being spaced apart and positioned to grip the stock in cooperation with the opposing portion of the reciprocable frame upon pivotal movementof the levers in one direction, a common operator for said levers and-a rock shaftcapable of yielding torsionally'connected to said common operator for moving said levers and the jaws carriedthereby into and out of stock-gripping position. v

11. In an apparatus for feeding strip stock, a. reciprocable stock-gripping and advancing mech- Zanism comprising areciprocable frame, a -pair of levers pivotally mounted'on said frame, stock gripping jaws'carried by said levers and opposing-a portion of the frame, said stock grip ping jaws being spaced apart and positioned ;to grip the stock in cooperation with the opposing portionof the reciprocable frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction, a com- .mon operator for said levers, a rockshaft capable of yielding torsionally connected to said common operator for moving said levers and .the jaws carried thereby into and out of stock-gripping position, and an independently operated linkage for reciprocating said frame-between an advanced and stock-receiving position.

12. An apparatus of the type described for feeding strip material, characterized by a positively operated hold-down for securing strip stock at appropriate times from moving in a forward or backward direction but permitting lateral movement of the stock so held, said hold-down having a fixed-frame, a stock receiving member supported-on s'aidLframa'said stock receiving mem-' her being laterally movable relative to said frame, and a stock-engaging'plunger carried .sby'said stock receiving member, said plunger being operable to engage said stock in conjunction with said stock receiving member.

13. In an apparatus for feeding strip stock, the combination of a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on said frame, stock gripping jaws carried by said levers and opposing a portion of the frame, said stock gripping jaws being spaced apart and positioned to grip the stock in cooperation with the opposing portion of the reciprocable frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction, a common operator for said levers and a positively operated, laterally movable hold-down for intermittently securing the stock against forward or backward movement, said hold-down including a fixed frame, a stock receiving member supported on said frame, said stock receiving member being laterally movable relative to said frame, and a stock engaging plunger carried by said stock receiving member, said plunger being operable to engage said stock in conjunction with said stock receiving member.

14. In an apparatus for feeding strip stock the combination of a reciprocable frame, a pair of levers pivotally mounted on said frame, stock gripping jaws carried by said levers and opposing a portion of the frame, said stock gripping jaws being spaced apart and positioned to grip the stock in cooperation with the opposing portion of the reciprocable frame upon pivotal movement of the levers in one direction, a common operator for said levers, a torsionally yieldable rock shaft slidably connected to said common operator for moving said operator and the levers carried thereby into and out of stock gripping position, and an intermittently operated, latermasseuse an emdvable hold d'own for seeurin i he stfic :agmsr forward 'or -baelward -movement," 'sai'cl field-down including a 'rfixed' frame, a stock receiving member supported; on *saidiframe; said stook' receiving memberibing ilaterallyjimovahle relative to 'said frame, and; 1a 'sto'ck engaging 13lm1'g er-carriedmy-said' stock a'eceiving member, asai'dplunger being'operable :to "engage in conjunction withvsaidisteck :receiving member. i '15. "=In'an apparatusofitheacharacterzdescribed, the combination of a reciprocable frame, a, painzof intermittently:DperatedLleversupivotally mounted in' the :frame, stool: :gripping: jaws carriedrhymhe levers, said grippingijaws'Ibeing: spacedsaparicand positioned lto grip 3a,- s'trip .'of1-sto.ck;aagainst.a aper- -tion=;of the frame upon pivotal movement-Di the levers L in :oneidirectiom. an independently oper abl'e rrxeans"ifor rreciprocatingithe f-ramertmattxancethesstock a predeterminedidi'soancaea continuously driven eslipefeed for framing lengths nf -strip stock iiniebutting enclatmend: relatimito' the u k rippin jaws, :an imtem1ittent1yronerate laterallyemavable FhOld-LdfiWTl rengaging-: with :the stock-to holdithe stdcki'in its advanced positionr-said holctedown including :ai'fixedwzframepa stocksreceiving memberisupponted cnssaidrframe, saidzstock receiving membertbeingzlaterallyrmovable relative i-tmsaid. flame, iaflfila; stock zengaging plunger :carried: 'byesaid: stock areceivirrg member, saidi pmngeribeingoperable:toiengagezsaidzstock in conjunction witnsaidstockzreceiving member.

V l6-.-In:an apparatus"iorsieeiiingzstrip stock,'rthe eombmationzroi a :reciprocable irame, anrpaiiti 10f leversvcpivotally: mountedrioni said-.zframe, stock grippingrjaws :carriedebyasaid leverszandaopposing arpontionrof :the frame, Lsaid .stock :gripping jaws beingsspaced apartxanii positi'onedofiio grip; the stocktin cooperation-withWhe nppoSing portion E12 iofithe reciprocablefiframesuponipivotarmovement oicthelevers in one tdirectiomha comnronsoperator for. said levers, a :torsionally yTieIdabIe rodk shatt slidably 'connected to rsai'd :common operator afor moving: said :operator and the. levers z'carried thereby into 'andxouttof ;stook gripping position, acontinuously driven, ione-wayslip feed for feedinglengthsrof stock iniabutting end tto ;end :relation :to '"the stock grippinglej aws and :an intermittently operated, laterally movable hold-down for .holilingithesstock'in advanceiposition;saidhold- 'down including a fixed frame, :a stock receiving member supported on saidfraine, .sam stock reeeivin'gmemberibeing .laterallyemovable relative to said frame,v and a: stockiengaging plunger carried byfsaid"stoekreceivingmember; said iplunger beingroperable-toengage said'stock in conjunction WithfSaidIStQCk receiving member.

' GEORGE *EQCHER.

'- .REEERENEES 1015mm 7 The following references are of" record in the file of this patent;

UNITED SEATES PATENTS 

